Lesson 4 Alsace - Rhone

WVINT 102 - 4.
WINE VINTAGES
WINE REGIONS OF ALSACE AND RHONE VALLEY
ALSACE
WVINT 102 - 4.WINE VINTAGES
LOCATION
Alsace is located in the

northeast of France on the
Border with Germany and
Switzerland. Since 2016 the
regions of Alsace, Lorraine,
and Champagne-Ardenne
were combined to form a
larger region called Grand Est
GRAPE VARIETIES - WHITE
FAMOUS FOR ITS NOBLE GRAPE VARIETIES

RIESLING
● Most widely planted of the noble varieties
● Best wines are medium- to full -bodied, dry with medium alcohol, high acidity and
display citrus and stone fruit aromas
● Stony/steely character
GEWURZTRAMINER
Gewurztraminer is renowned for its pungent aromatic spicy nose, reminiscent of
lychees, roses and sweet baking spices
GRAPE VARIETIES - WHITE
PINOT GRIS
● Rich, full-bodied and high in alcohol,
● Higher acidity than Gewurztraminer.
● Rich texture on the palate and pronounced flavour intensity with fresh and dried fruits
and a honeyed character.
MUSCAT
● There are a number of grape varieties called Muscat, two of which are grown in
Alsace. Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains are intensely aromatic with flavours of orange
blossom, rose and grape
● They tend to have a light to medium body and low to medium acidity.
GRAPE VARIETIES
OTHER GRAPE VARIETIES
Pinot Blanc is widely planted. It tends to be grown

in the more fertile soils of the plain rather than on the
better sloped sites. It is widely used for the
production of sparkling wines, but as a still wine, it is
generally light, simple and refreshing
TERROIR
CLIMATE
Alsace enjoys a semi-continental climate

with cold winters and hot, dry and sunny
summers, as well as a microclimate
specific to this region. The vineyard is
sheltered by the Vosges mountains, which
act as a natural barrier for the vineyard and
give the region the lowest rainfall in France
TERROIR
SOIL A great variety of soils in the vineyards that lie on the foothills of the
Vosges. This geological complexity is a key factor that contributes to
the variety of styles of wines produced
TERROIR
SOIL
● The best vineyards are located on the
steepest slopes
● East and south-east aspects.
● Coolest climate in the northern area and the
least protection from the Vosges.
● The lesser vineyards lie on the plain between
the Vosges foothills and the Rhine
TERROIR
PRODUCTION
● Quality wines made from single grape varieties
● Traditional producers ferment their wines in large old oak barrels, often
more than 100 years old.
● In modern cellars, stainless steel vats are now more commonly used,
facilitating the control of temperatures at the time of fermentation.
● Most of the wines are ready to be drank young (some have ageing
capacity)
● A land of white wines
● Only dry style wines are produced
WINE REGIONS OF ALSACE AND RHONE VALLEY
RHONE VALLEY
LOCATION
The Rhone Valley is a key

wine-producing region in the
southeast of France. It follows the
north–south course of the Rhone
river for almost 150 miles (240km)
from Lyon to the Rhone Delta (the
Bouches-du-Rhône), near the
Mediterranean coast
TERROIR
NORTHERN
AND
SOUTHERN
RHONE
GRAPE VARIETIES
THE NORTHERN RHONE - REDS

● Most closely associated with powerful red wines made from Syrah.
● Only a small amount of white wine is made has a significant reputation
thanks in large part to the popularity of Viognier
Syrah
● The only black variety permitted in the Northern Rhone.
● The wines tend to be deeply coloured and have medium to high levels of tannin with
black fruit ,
● Some winemakers use a high proportion of new oak for their best wines whereas
others prefer to use older oak or larger barrels
GRAPE VARIETIES
THE NORTHERN RHONE - WHITE

Viognier
● Makes full-bodied white wines with perfumed aromas of blossom and apricots, and
flavours of stone fruits.
● Wines tend to have low acidity and high alcohol
Marsanne and Roussanne

● Grow in the Northern Rhone and are usually blended together
● Marsanne has richness and weight
● Roussanne offers acidity and a perfumed fruit characteristic.
GRAPE VARIETIES
THE SOUTHERN RHONE - REDS

Grenache
● Most of the red wines of the Southern Rhone are made with Grenache
● Most widely planted variety
● Produces wines with concentrated spiced red fruit flavours
Syrah and Mourvedre
● Play a supporting role to Grenache. Syrah provides blends with extra colour and tannin
Mourvedre
● Deeply coloured and very high in tannins
● When it is fully ripe it can develop dense black fruit flavours as well as gamey and
meaty aromas
GRAPE VARIETIES
THE SOUTHERN RHONE - WHITE
Marsanne and Roussanne

The best whites are usually richly
textured and full bodied, high in
alcohol, with low to medium acidity and
fruity aromas. New oak is rarely used
TERROIR
CLIMATE
NORTHERN RHONE The climate is similar to that of Beaujolais: moderate and
continental. Temperatures are noticeably cooler than in the Southern Rhone
SOUTHERN RHONE The climate in the south is different too. It

is Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm dry summers when
drought can be a problem. In this part of the Rhone the north
winds known as the mistral gain speed and can cause extensive
damage to vineyards
TERROIR
SOIL
NORTHERN RHONE
In Northern Rhône, the soil mainly consists of different groups.
Main soil types in the northern rhône are clay, rocky and granite
soils.
SOUTHERN RHONE
In the south of Rhone, with the warmer climate and difference in
soil, wines from this region are generally sweeter and fruitier.
Main soil types in the southern rhône are clay, rocky, limestone
and sandy soils
TERROIR
PRODUCTION
NORTHERN RHONE SOUTHERN RHONE
● Small production ● Blending is very popular. Up to 13

● Well know for boutique wines production grape varieties in a bottle of wine
● Mainly Single grape wines ● High alcohol wine production
● Use of new and old oak ● Some carbonic fermentation
● Produces 95% of wine in the whole
valley, mainly red production
HOMEWORK
LIST AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN
RHONE

Lesson 4 Alsace - Rhone

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 4 Alsace - Rhone

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

WVINT 102 - 4.

Alsace is located in the

FAMOUS FOR ITS NOBLE GRAPE VARIETIES

OTHER GRAPE VARIETIES

Pinot Blanc is widely planted. It tends to be grown

Alsace enjoys a semi-continental climate

The Rhone Valley is a key

THE NORTHERN RHONE - REDS

THE NORTHERN RHONE - WHITE

Marsanne and Roussanne

THE SOUTHERN RHONE - REDS

THE SOUTHERN RHONE - WHITE

Marsanne and Roussanne

SOUTHERN RHONE The climate in the south is different too. It

NORTHERN RHONE SOUTHERN RHONE

● Small production ● Blending is very popular. Up to 13

LIST AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENCES

You might also like